[TH Anonymous]

[SIZE="a"]I don't know if my sister knows it, but she's one of the most important people in the world to me, and when I was really sick last summer, her wedding in the fall was what kept me going. I got to see her get married and it was such an amazing thing to be able to be around for. It meant so much to me.

She lives in another state, now, so I don't have an opportunity to see her anymore. But I am very, very sick right now, sicker than ever, and my life is honestly at stake. I am optimistic about getting better, but I am also aware life is short and unpredictable, and now is the time to say the things you want to say to the people who mean so much to you.

My sister is a very private person. She doesn't speak about herself much. Years ago, she got very sick from the same type of illness, and had to go to treatment. She did get better, but we never speak about it, at her request. I respect her wishes and don't wish to trigger or upset her, because she has made clear to me she will never discuss this topic with me again. She's a therapist and she won't even treat clients who have this issue. That's how bad it is.

But I want- need- her to know how much she means to me. How much her wedding meant to me. And I know the truth is if I continue to get sicker faster, I may never see her again. And that is SO hard. So I need her to know, but I have no idea how to tell her. How do you convey to someone that you are sick, but love them, when the very illness you have strikes fear in their heart and could upset them?[/size]